Hartford, CT: Culture, Innovation & New England Charm

1. Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art

Explore diverse collections, admire masterpieces from around the world.

Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art

What is the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art?
- Located on Main Street, the Wadsworth Atheneum is an art museum founded in 1842 and opened in 1844, making it one of the oldest art museums in the U.S.
What kind of art does the museum feature?
- The museum has an extensive collection, including American Impressionist paintings, works by contemporary artists, French Impressionist paintings, landscapes by members of the Hudson River School, and modernist artworks.
Are there other exhibits besides paintings?
- Yes! The museum also features American decorative arts and furniture.
How big is the museum?
- With 196,000 square feet, the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art is the largest art museum in Connecticut.
Is the museum historically significant?
- Yes, it is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
Does the museum offer educational programs and events?
- The museum offers many educational programs and hosts special events like film screenings.
Where is the museum located?
- 600 Main Street, Hartford, CT. For more information, call 860-278-2670.

2. Elizabeth Park

Walk through colorful gardens, enjoy peaceful strolls in every season.

Elizabeth Park

What is Elizabeth Park?
- Elizabeth Park is a city park located on Asylum Avenue. Covering 102 acres, the land was originally owned by Charles M. Pond, who donated it to the City of Hartford in 1894 and requested it be named after his wife, Elizabeth Pond.
What is special about the Rose Garden?
- One of the most famous parts of the park, the Rose Garden, is the oldest municipal rose garden in the U.S. It consists of 15,000 rose bushes representing 800 varieties.
What other attractions are in the park?
- In addition to the Rose Garden, the park contains greenhouses, lawns, pathways, a pond, and tennis courts.
Is Elizabeth Park a good place to visit with kids?
- Yes! If you’re wondering what to do in Hartford, CT with kids, this park is a great place to visit due to its gardens, open spaces, and scenic pathways.
Where is Elizabeth Park located?
- 1561 Asylum Avenue, West Hartford, Connecticut. For more information, call 860-231-9443.

3. Connecticut State Capitol

Admire stunning architecture, explore historic exhibits and government chambers.

Connecticut State Capitol

What is the Connecticut State Capitol?
- The Connecticut State Capitol is the home of the Connecticut State Senate, the House of Representatives, the Connecticut General Assembly, and the Governor’s office.
When was the Connecticut State Capitol built?
- The current capitol was constructed with marble and granite and opened in 1871. It was designed in the Eastlake Movement style and has been designated as a U.S. National Historic Landmark.
What can visitors see inside the capitol?
- On the main floor, visitors can explore collections of historic artifacts, many of which are related to the Civil War.
Are tours available?
- Yes! There are self-guided tours as well as free one-hour guided tours available from Monday to Friday.
Are group or school tours available?
- Yes, school tours and private group tours are also available.
Where is the Connecticut State Capitol located?
- 210 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, CT. For more information, call 860-240-0222.

4. Connecticut Science Center

Discover interactive exhibits, enjoy hands-on fun perfect for kids and families.

Connecticut Science Center

What is the Connecticut Science Center?
- Located on Columbus Boulevard along the Connecticut River in Hartford, the Connecticut Science Center is a nine-story science museum and theater that opened in 2009.
How big is the Connecticut Science Center?
- The center features 40,000 square feet of interactive exhibits within its 154,000 square foot facility.
Why is the Connecticut Science Center a popular attraction?
- The Connecticut Science Center is one of the top attractions in Hartford for families, offering engaging interactive exhibits in multiple galleries.
What are some of the featured exhibits?
- - The Exploring Space gallery allows visitors to see a moon rock, explore moon craters, or go on a Venture to a Black Hole.
- - The River of Life exhibit teaches guests about the importance of the Connecticut River.
- - The Picture of Health exhibit highlights the differences between good and bad health habits.
- - The Sight and Sound Experience combines art, music, and science.
Where is the Connecticut Science Center located?
- 250 Columbus Boulevard, Hartford, Connecticut. For more information, call 860-724-3623.

5. The Mark Twain House & Museum

Explore Twain’s historic home, admire exhibits showcasing his literary legacy.

The Mark Twain House & Museum

What is The Mark Twain House & Museum?
- Located on Farmington Avenue, The Mark Twain House & Museum is the historic home where Samuel Longhorne Clemens, better known as Mark Twain, lived and worked between 1874 and 1891.
Where did Mark Twain live before moving to Hartford?
- Before living in this house, Twain resided in several places, including Hannibal, Missouri.
What famous books did Mark Twain write in this house?
- While living in Hartford, Mark Twain wrote some of his most famous books, including The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, along with other well-known works.
What is the architectural style of the house?
- Built between 1873 and 1874, the house is designed in the Victorian Gothic style and has 19 rooms.
What can visitors see at the museum?
- Opened in 2003, the museum features permanent and rotating exhibits that give visitors insight into Mark Twain's life and literary legacy.
Where is The Mark Twain House & Museum located?
- 351 Farmington Avenue, Hartford, Connecticut. For more information, call 860-247-0998.

6. Bushnell Park

Walk along scenic paths, enjoy historic monuments and open spaces.

Bushnell Park

What is Bushnell Park?
- Bushnell Park is the oldest publicly funded park in the U.S. It was envisioned by Reverend Horace Bushnell in the mid-19th century to provide the people of Hartford with a green open space, a concept that no other U.S. city had completed at the time.
How large is Bushnell Park?
- The park spans over 50 acres and features paths, groups of trees, a pond, and various attractions.
What attractions can be found in the park?
- Visitors can enjoy a performance pavilion, a historic carousel, and the iconic Corning Fountain.
What memorials are in Bushnell Park?
- The park includes the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch, dedicated to those who fought in the American Civil War, as well as the Horace Wells Monument.
Is Bushnell Park historically significant?
- Yes, the park is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
What events take place in the park?
- Bushnell Park hosts a variety of concerts, festivals, and other events throughout the year.

7. The Bushnell Performing Arts Center

Enjoy live performances, experience world-class theater and music.

The Bushnell Performing Arts Center

What is The Bushnell Performing Arts Center?
- The Bushnell Performing Arts Center is a performing arts venue located on Capitol Avenue. Formerly known as Bushnell Memorial Hall, it was named after Horace Bushnell, a highly respected 19th-century intellectual.
When was The Bushnell Performing Arts Center built?
- The center was envisioned by Dotha Bushnell Hillyer and constructed between 1929 and 1930 during the Great Depression as a memorial to her father.
What theaters are part of the center?
- The center consists of several theaters, including the original Mortensen Hall and the Maxwell M. and Ruth R. Belding Theater.
What types of performances are held at The Bushnell?
- The center presents a variety of performances, including those by the Hartford Symphony Orchestra.
Does The Bushnell offer educational or community programs?
- Yes, the center has educational programs and community outreach initiatives such as Passport to the Arts and iQuilt.
Is The Bushnell a good place for a date night?
- Absolutely! If you're looking for romantic date night ideas in Hartford, attending a performance at The Bushnell Performing Arts Center is a great option.
Where is The Bushnell Performing Arts Center located?
- 166 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, Connecticut. For more information, call 860-987-6000.

8. Museum of Connecticut History

Discover state history, explore artifacts and documents from Connecticut’s past.

Museum of Connecticut History

What is the Museum of Connecticut History?
- The Museum of Connecticut History is located in the meticulously restored and historic 1910 building that houses the State Library and Supreme Court.
What does the museum focus on?
- The museum highlights Connecticut’s governmental, industrial, and military history through a variety of permanent and temporary exhibits.
What do the exhibits showcase?
- The exhibits follow the state's growth and development and explore its role in the development of the United States.
Where does the visit to the museum begin?
- Visitors start their tour at Memorial Hall, where they can see portraits of former Connecticut Governors.
What important historical documents are on display?
- Memorial Hall contains display boxes showcasing key historical documents, including the state's original Royal Charter from 1662.
What are some of the museum’s notable collections?
- - The Connecticut Collection includes flags, portraits, weapons, uniforms, and other historic objects.
- - The Colt Firearms Collection showcases firearms that played a key role in the state's industrial history.
- - The Mitchelson Coin Collection is one of several specialized historical collections.
What is the admission fee?
- Admission to the museum is free.
Where is the Museum of Connecticut History located?
- 231 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, Connecticut. For more information, call 860-757-6535.

9. Connecticut Historical Society

Explore local history, admire exhibits showcasing Connecticut’s rich heritage.

Connecticut Historical Society

What is the Connecticut Historical Society?
- Visiting the Connecticut Historical Society museum, library, and the Edgar F. Waterman Research Center is a great way to learn more about Connecticut’s history, people, and culture.
When was the Connecticut Historical Society established?
- The Society was established in 1825 and is housed in a lovely 1928 Colonial Revival building that was once a luxury home.
What kinds of items are in the collection?
- The museum contains over 4 million diverse items, including textiles, furniture, clothing, manuscripts, diaries, prints, photos, tavern signs, children’s books, and various tools.
What is the most important exhibition at the museum?
- The most significant exhibition is a comprehensive overview of more than 400 years of Connecticut’s history.
What can visitors see in this exhibition?
- The exhibition showcases over 500 historic images, objects, and documents, covering history from the times of the original inhabitants, the Quinnetukut, to contemporary times.
Where is the Connecticut Historical Society located?
- One Elizabeth Street, Hartford, Connecticut. For more information, call 860-236-5621.